Assessment of Handling Practices and Awareness of Aflatoxin Contamination in Spices among Micro and Small-Scale Processors in Tanzania
Table 3.
Handling practices by micro andsmall-scale spice processors of tea and masala
|
| Variable |
Category |
Frequency (N=60) |
Percentage (%) |
|
|
| Source of raw materials |
From farmers |
12 |
20.0% |
|
| Market outlets |
43 |
71.7% |
|
| Farmers and outlets |
5 |
8.3% |
|
| Condition in which spices are received |
Raw/fresh from farm |
3 |
5.0% |
|
| Dried |
57 |
95.0% |
|
| Criteria for purchasing raw material |
Yes |
52 |
86.7% |
|
| No |
8 |
13.3% |
|
| Most important criteria |
Price |
10 |
16.7% |
|
| Visual inspection |
1 |
1.7% |
|
| Mould infested |
5 |
8.3% |
|
| Cleanliness |
32 |
53.3% |
|
| Moistness |
4 |
6.7% |
|
| Others |
8 |
13.3% |
|
| Further drying of spices prior to processing |
Yes |
46 |
76.7% |
|
| No |
14 |
23.3% |
|
| Where spices are dried |
On the ground yard |
8 |
13.3% |
|
| Over the roof |
5 |
8.3% |
|
| On canvas/tarpaulin |
27 |
45.0% |
|
| On raised bed(kichanja) |
5 |
8.3% |
|
| Solar drier |
1 |
1.7% |
|
| Electrical drier |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| none |
14 |
23.3% |
|
| Others |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| Knowledge to identify well-dried spices |
Yes |
60 |
100.0% |
|
| No |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| Method to confirm dryness |
Visual assessment |
32 |
53.3% |
|
| Biting with teeth |
9 |
15.0% |
|
| Measure moisture content |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| Sound |
19 |
31.7% |
|
| Others |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| Measure moisture level |
Yes |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| No |
60 |
100.0% |
|
| Store spices |
Yes |
35 |
58.3% |
|
| No |
25 |
41.7% |
|
| Storage time prior to processing |
Less than a week |
6 |
10.0% |
|
| 1 to 4 weeks |
16 |
26.7% |
|
| 1 to 4 months |
5 |
8.3% |
|
| More than 4 months |
8 |
13.3% |
|
| Do not store |
25 |
41.7% |
|
| Sorting prior processing |
Yes |
56 |
93.3% |
|
| No |
4 |
6.7% |
|
| Sorting criteria |
Mould infested |
13 |
21.7% |
|
| Discoloration |
15 |
25.0% |
|
| Foreign matter/Damaged |
28 |
46.7% |
|
| None of the above |
4 |
6.7% |
|
| Handling of spoiled spices |
Discard it |
54 |
90.0% |
|
| Mix with others and use |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| Re-dry and use |
2 |
3.3% |
|
| No sorting at all |
4 |
6.7% |
|
| Poor storage condition promotes mold growth |
Yes |
58 |
96.7% |
|
| No |
2 |
3.3% |
|
| Further packing after processing |
Yes |
56 |
93.3% |
|
| No |
4 |
6.7% |
|
| Packaging materials used |
Plastic containers/bags |
53 |
88.3% |
|
| Glass bottles |
3 |
5.0% |
|
| Paper bags |
0 |
0.0% |
|
| Others |
4 |
6.7% |
|
|
|
|
